Court: Teva to receive market exclusivity for generic Hyzaar, Cozaar

By Alaric DeArment

JERUSALEM The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has overturned a district court decision from last year declaring that Teva forfeited its six-month market exclusivity period for the generic versions of two drugs to treat high blood pressure, the generic drug maker announced Tuesday.

The court overturned the ruling, from July 31, which ruled against Teva and in favor of Merck & Co. concerning the drugs Hyzaar (hydrochlorothiazide and losartan potassium) and Cozaar (losartan potassium).

Teva’s application for the drug will become eligible for final approval by the Food and Drug Administration in April. Hyzaar and Cozaar have annual sales of $1.5 billion, according to IMS Health.